Commercial fisher fined
Thursday, 26 June 2003

A commercial marine scalefish (pilchard) fisher from Port Lincoln pleaded guilty in the Port Lincoln Magistrates Court yesterday to a number of charges relating to her commercial fishing operations.

Ms Lakakana Boonmarjareon (37), from Port Lincoln was fined $2,500 for using two different vessels at the same time to fish under the one marine scalefish fishery licence.

The court heard how Ms Boonmarjareon had allowed more than one vessel (being the Almonta and the Delamere) to be used at the one time to fish for pilchards. Licence conditions only allow one vessel to be used at any one time.

It was also admitted that neither of the masters in charge of the two vessels were registered at the time they were fishing. Under licence conditions, masters of marine scalefish vessels must be registered with Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA).

A conviction will be endorsed on Ms Boonmarjareon’s licence which will last for a period of three years. Three convictions within a three year period can result in the cancellation of the licence.

PIRSA Fishwatch Regional Manager West, Kym Wakefield said licence conditions set down for commercial fishing must be adhered to.

“These conditions are part of the management strategy put in place to ensure commercial fisheries in this State are conducted in a sustainable way,” Mr Wakefield said.